Possibly more than you'd think.
Later on in this piece, there will be a shocking personal revelation to all of you lovely people reading my blog. BUT NOT TILL LATER! And why? Because I am mean, and I have power and opinion on my space.
It has always shocked me what the American people tolerate from their government. Perhaps we are so used to having our opinions fed to us by the press from cans, that we can't comprehend for ourselves. Or perhaps we are so jaded by all of the scandals and crimes that we forget that EACH ONE warrants our attention.
And the ones who suffer so much because of this administration, the ones who will continue to be paying for it, in their lives, and in their debt YEARS from now have been mostly silent.
We've seen "Rock the Vote" attempts to make politics "HIP" for college age voters, but still comparatively little interest.
The interest is just beneathe the surface. I have talked to many students at my school who say "George Bush is the Devil" as they talk about thier student loans, and their cousin in Iraq. We are AWARE, just not organized.
That is slowly changing.
Students are protesting the treatment and pay of workers at their University.
We are beginning to take responsibility and action for our society!
Would it surprise any of you guys to know that even before I started writing in this blog I was already involved in blogging and politics?
Possibly not. But that's part of my great revelation to you, my readers.
I have helped to liveblog community meetings for groups like afterdowningstreet and the Democracy Cell Project, and the Huffington Post. It's amazing the experiences you get listening to people like Representative John Conyers speak. This particular event was a "local" gathering, that Rep. Conyers was kind enough to speak at, about Iraq, the Economy, Voter Fraud, and many other important matters. And guess what my souvenir, now presented for your enjoyment, is?
Me and John Conyers!
Yes, I'm slouching. Sorry.
How many of us have actually met and talked to our politicians, excluding those school field trips? How many of us call them up to ask what their stance is on an issue?
Not near enough. It's amazing, most of these people GENUINELY have good intentions, they get distorted, or elevated above "regular" people. But they are still OUR servants, and it is up to US to make sure they know what we want.
It is up to us to know what we want. To form our own opinions, develop our ideas and discuss them with others.
Only then will it be "Hip" to be a politically active college student. When we stop ignoring the "Rock the Vote" messages and realize that THIS IS OUR FUTURE, and we have PLANS for it.
None of MY plans for the future include an occupation in Iraq or Iran. None of them include being spied on for my activism. Unfortunately, they DO include trillions of dollars of debt. But how much more?
So WRITE your thoughts, and talk about them, you never know who's interested!
dang I need a spell check... These hands are fine for piano, but not much else! Sorry about the typos!
Great post! That is sooo cool! It looks like John Conyers was happy to be there talking to you. And yes, I can see your blogging has made a difference. I hope more college students recognise they need to get involved before they lose their hopes and dreams to the Bush/Republican/neocon agenda!
My plans are what John Kerry wanted. Health care for all--particularly children. Prescription medication and fair labor practises. Ending the outsourcing of jobs. ending our reliance on oil.
But most people didn't even bother researching what John Kerry and John Edwards stood for.
Yeah I liked John Kerry too.
John Kerry also was a strong advocate for alternative fuels. He was very dedicated to reducing our reliance on the mid-east as well as he is a strong advocate for conservation.
I learned about the 2004 elections from bloging. That was how I discovered all the information the corporate media was hiding.
Nolie,
In case you haven't heard, the GOP's media is trying to smear Conyer's now. They don't even have all the facts yet, and I haven't even heard of a prosecutor investigating him. Hmmm...bet that means they don't like Conyer's impeachment resolution.
The actions being investigated are 10 years old. That sounds a little desperate to me, and there is a big difference between the ethics crime they're accusing him of(using staffers for personal errands and assistance) and the ethics crimes we're seeing from the GOP.
I think it's sad that your generation and those following will be paying for the crimes of this pResdent's administration and their rubber-stamping republican corruption worshipping members.
I'll die of old age while you'll still be carrying forth the debt and the repercussions of this regime.
Nolie,
Very cool!
I agree with you completely: Most college students are (somewhat) interested in politics. The only problem is most students don't really do anything. They have their opinions, they voice them when we're talking about politics, but that's about it.
Somehow most of us seem to be unwilling to join organizations, create our own blogs, write for magazines, etc.
A major job lies there for us, students who are active: Trying to make our fellow students active as well.
Nolie,
Are you alright? You did not post in a while..
Yeah, I've just been busy... Hopefully there'll be more posts coming soon, as I can...
Nolie,
Here's a great closing statement in a well written and truthful article.
"Americans want a lot of things out of their leaders. They want honesty. They want integrity. They want ability. What Americans don't want is panic. But panic, sadly, is what they're getting in massive doses from the Republican Party. In these challenging times, is panic the trait you want most associated with the party in power? I doubt it."
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/BobcatJH/32
Nolie,
I know you've done many posts about supporting our troops. Here's another Republican effort to take away troop benefits.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_larry_sc_060424_push_to_cut_benefits.htm
Thanks for the links CSK... excellent writing!
Yes, the author really got to the heart of the matter. The party that sold us on the idea that they were the national security party and would keep us safe are in a panic. Flat out panic!
I suspect that's why they're not stepping up to the plate on anything. And this will damage their image for a long time.
Not to mention that it took them less than 6 years to get to the most corrupt regime ever to have control in our control. Some people point out hte democratic party was corrupt at one time, and yes, that's true. It was a long time ago. But it also took them 40 years to get corrupt. 6...instead of 40. And a lot more people have died because of these GOP acts of corruption; whereas, when the democrats were corrupt, nobody actually died because they slept with lobbyist.
Nolie,
Just saw this! http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060428/ap_on_re_us/limbaugh_painkillers
Can you believe the hate monger who called a black Congresswoman a "Ghetto mama" and inspires hate against lefty-druggies got caught committing a crime again?
He has no integrity.
Rush doesn't sound repentent. I heard him still proclaiming his innocence. Sounds like 99% of the druggies he placed in jail! I think it's wrong he's getting special treatment that the normal non-celebrity doesn't get.
Hey, another instance of youth making a difference. In Miami where the students joined the janitors who were on the hunger strike for better wages, they had SUCCESS!
Yeppeee!!!
http://www.union-network.org/uniproperty.nsf/0/B8D7FA4EF5CC1144C1257162002A11AD?OpenDocument
Students, it's time to bring back the labor unions while these greedy big businesses are willing to let YOU starve!
Power is in numbers! Nearly 1000 staff and faculty from over 100 universities signed this petition to help them.
http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/0502-04.htm
look here for the amazing partnership between the students and janitors. Someday, when we have a real media again, there will be a documentary on the revival of the labor movement and young activists.
Let's get it going now or there will be nothing left for these young college bloggers.
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&rls=GGIC%2CGGIC%3A2006-10%2CGGIC%3Aen&q=janitors+on+hunger+strike
So true. Lots of people in the Congress are just a bunch of criminals, but much much bigger criminals.
I think Duke and Delay and Ney are the biggests catches so far. More down the road I hear.
Lots more down the road. Read this:
Crooks, Crownies, and a Dictator
****The thing is, if you control the Senate meetings, you control the gavel. And the gavel is a very important instrument... an instrument of power. An instrument that establishes the agenda.
Dan Quayle former Republican VP of George Bush Sr***
home equity line of credit
I think kids are into politics, just depends on where you are and who you talk to.
Your largely right. But The problem with Rock the Vote was that they didn't really want kids to be involved in politics they just wanted to motivate the poor to vote. because the most poor, & least educated are thought to be very liberal. I don't know if I buy that, but that was the goal.
Your encouraging something completely different. &i'm totally with you but...
kids today are 'aware' its hard not to be in our media crazed society. But neither kids nor adults dig any deeper. That is what we need to encourage, and I think that is partly your pt so I'm just reiterating.